October 21, 2011

Erica Hummer was Born to be a Lady Lion

Happy Valley...home of Penn State...home of the Nittany Lions...home of the Blue and White...home of the screaming fans that fill Beaver Stadium on football Saturdays...home. My home. State College is the place that I have called home for the past twenty years. I could not have asked for a better place to grow up. The sense of community and togetherness in this college town is something so unique and something that I will never forget. It is through Penn State that I found my second family, the Lady Lions.

My family and I started going to the Lady Lion Basketball games when I was two years old. I remember going to the games in Rec Hall, being in the Cager Kid’s Club its very first year, wearing my cheerleading outfit and dancing with the Nittany Lion. I remember my very first crush on one of the male cheerleaders when I was five, the dreamy, heart-throb, Anthony. I even got to go back in the locker room during half-time with the team. The games were what I looked forward to each and every week. The players and coaches were my role models, they were celebrities to me. When I grew up, I wanted to be just like them. I wanted to be a Lady Lion.

It became painfully clear during my Pioneer Basketball career that I was not cut out to be a Division I basketball player, or Division II...or III. Ok...there was no division of basketball that I would ever be able to compete in. Not quite sure when I had the “aha” moment that this sport wasn’t for me. Maybe it was the game where I finally scored a basket...at the wrong end of the court. Yeah...that was it. My parents tried not to crush my dreams and showed me the other opportunities there were in life, but I sure did love basketball.

I made it through high school and found a sport that worked a little bit better for me...field hockey. I got through without injuring anyone...then it was time to apply for college. Most kids at State College high school cannot wait to get out of this bubble we call “Happy Valley” and make their own way somewhere else. I couldn’t wait to go to Penn State. Thank goodness I got in too...considering it was the only school I applied to. It was my first semester of college that I was able to continue on with the Lady Lions, not only as a fan...but this time, as part of the team.

 

I became a manager my freshman year and was very fortunate to be able to start traveling with the team right away. This team has given me so many amazing opportunities. I have created amazing relationships, traveled the country, met amazing people and have developed a second family. This is my last year with the Lady Lions, but I will be a fan for the rest of my life. I have memories that will stick with me forever; going to all of the away games, seeing some NBA games, eating at amazing restaurants, being on some flights that made me wonder if I would ever see the ground again, playing with the Coach’s kids, laughing with the girls when we catch Coach Quese tripping over the lines on the court (yes...the white lines painted on the floor), the memories go on and on…

Thank you to everyone who has made this experience with the Lady Lions so special. I guess you could call me one of those “life-time fans.” They have always been my favorite team, and they will always be my family. Love ya Lions!